Soyinka Heads Lagos @ 50 Celebration Committee

In preparation for the Golden Jubilee of Lagos State next year,  Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, has appointed Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka and Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi as Co-Chairmen of the Lagos at 50 Planning Committee.

Prof Wole Soyinka

Included in the committee are Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peter and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as secretary.

   Lagos State was created on May 27, 1967 by the State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, which restructured Nigeria into 12 states.

  During the inauguration of the committee at Lagos House, Ikeja, Ambode expressed confidence in their ability. “Lagos State will be 50 years next year. 50 years is a significant landmark in the life of any individual, institution or state. For Lagos State, it has been an eventful 50 years which deserves to be fittingly celebrated.

 “Lagos is a land of opportunities, offering all residents the chance to succeed in their vocations and endeavours. Lagos provides jobs to more people than any other state in sub-Saharan Africa. Lagos is that place where you have a chance to make it if you work hard.

“Indeed, Lagos State has justified its creation. Apart from being the pacesetter and first among equals in the comity of states in the Nigerian federation, Lagos State also occupies a noticeable position in global affairs especially as the fastest growing mega city in the world.

“With all these in mind, it is imperative that we celebrate Lagos at 50. In celebrating Lagos, we must showcase our cultural heritage. We must celebrate the language, arts, sights and sounds of Lagos. Celebrating Lagos is to celebrate Nigerian unity and progress because Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps Nigeria together.

Lagos Mobile Courts Convict Over 40 offenders

In the last few days, the newly-inaugurated Lagos State Mobile Courts have sprung into action and operatewd in some parts of the state where many offenders were arrested and prosecuted.

 

A Unit of the Lagos Mobile Court during operation.

 

On Thursday, along Lagos-Abeokuta Expresway, specifically, Ikeja Along Bus Stop, a unit of the mobile court prosecuted pedestrians who did not use the bridge as well as motorists who were caught driving against traffic. Also, on Wednesday the courts convicted 41, out of 52 prosecuted traffic and environmental offenders.

  The Lagos State Government inaugurated the Special Offences (Mobile) Courts  on 5 February, 2016, with mandate to return sanity to Lagos roads.

  According to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force), 14 people were arrested within Agege, 22 from Oshodi and 16 at areas in Apapa, totalling 52 offenders in all.

A statement by Public Affairs Officer of the Task Force, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, indicated that the mobile courts, which held at open spots at Apapa, Oshodi and Agege Local Government Areas, involved magistrates, lawyers, representatives from the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), registrars, cashiers, policemen and towing vehicles.

“Two motorcyclists and four tricycle revenue collectors that were also prosecuted, had their cases struck out for lack of proper documentary evidence.

“Trial in the cases of the remaining five tricycle operators have been adjourned till Thursday, Feb. 11.

“The adjournment was to enable prosecuting counsel, Mr Jimoh Quadri, produce and tender videos and pictures of exact location of arrest from Mr Wilson Alaba, the police officer who Led the operations from the Lagos State Task Force, as evidence to guide the court’s proceedings,’’ The Task Force explained..

  From the 52 prosecutions, 41 were convicted for offences punishable under Section 10 (1) (a) Street Trading and Illegal Markets Prohibition Law of 2003, and were made to pay various fines as options to terms of three to six months imprisonment.

  Magistrates on duty during the mobile courts operations included Mr Nurudeen Layeni (Agege Local Government), Mr Olalekan Aka-Bashorun (Apapa Local Government) and Mr Patrick Nwaka (Oshodi Local Government).

It said that with the commencement of prosecution by the mobile courts, there would be sanity in the system as drivers and riders, including other members of the public, were now expected to comport themselves.

Environmental Laws.

Lagos launches mobile courts to try traffic offenders

 Yesterday, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, launched mobile courts to  try traffic offenders and convict them when necessary. 

Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (midle) launching the mobile courts

 
Atilade assured that the end is here for “the era of recklessness and impunity on our public roads and highways.”
Recalled that few weeks ago, the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Chris Olakpe has disclosed that the state government was considering setting up a special mobile court to punish traffic offenders and strengthen traffic regulation in the state.

Atilade lamented that rude motorists commits manslaughters daily on the roads, killing innocent citizens were hardly punished. She cited example of the death of a 25-year-old British Nigerian graduate, Doyin Fagbenro, who was killed by a reckless commercial bus driver about three weeks ago in Lekki-Ajah area of Lagos.
Atilade said: “Those who chose to make life difficult for other people, especially on our roads, should have a re-think, as they would henceforth be held accountable for their deeds.
“Flagrant disregard or violation of traffic rules with impunity is unacceptable and as such, must be discouraged and condemned by all.
“You see them break traffic rules at will and cause needless traffic snag on our roads. They also, most often, drove against traffic and beat the traffic lights, destroy traffic furniture and infrastructure, drive across the road median and through their lawlessness and irresponsible actions, daily inflict pains, grieve and sorrow on fellow citizens.
“Businesses are impeded, as several productive hours are unnecessarily lost in traffic, mostly due to acts of indiscipline by few recalcitrant and obstinate drivers and road users, who are laws unto themselves. As we speak, many have been sent to early graves, while several others are either maimed or lying critically ill in the hospital.
“This must not be allowed to continue. Let it be known to all that the era of recklessness and impunity on our public roads and highways in Lagos State is gone.”
Meanwhile Olakpe had said the government was planning to recruit, at least 1,300 persons into the traffic management agency.  Olakpe said: “We are asking the government to establish a mobile court to try erring drivers and ensure that they bear the consequence of driving against traffic or causing obstruction or using the BRT lanes.”

Boat tragedy: Govt Summons Operators, Vows Clampdown

Information culled from the website of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State states that "Following the unfortunate boat incident that occurred on Saturday, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has summoned an emergency meeting with all commercial boat operators."

  The meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, 2016, according to the  Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mrs. Abisola Kamson, will focus on the compliance of safety standards of vessels operating on the state waterways.

“Despite efforts by the State Government to enforce the safety standards on the waterways, some boat operators still flout the rules and regulations thereby putting the lives of innocent citizens at risk.

 “The Lagos State Government will not tolerate the operation of substandard vessels on the waterways. Any individual or corporate entity found to be operating vessels not deemed water worthy will be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law,” she said.

Kamson who confirmed the boat mishap at Ibeshe, Ikorodu said the incident occurred at approximately 10:20am on a boat, Amen Limited, of Aki Marine Company belonging to one Mr. Akeem Balogun, which was travelling from Ijede to Badore East.

She said although all passengers on the boat were wearing their life jackets, the covered design of the boat made rescue efforts challenging.

Kamson said that survivors rescued were immediately taken to the Ijede General Hospital for treatment, while investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the Marine Police.

The LASWA boss who was at the scene of the incident reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to ensuring all operators plying the Lagos waterways comply with safety standards to prevent future loss of life and property.

Search recues continue as boat capsizes in Lagos this morning

A 20-seater boat, carrying 17 passengers and two-crew members, from Ijede area of Ikorodu heading to Badore in Lekki area of Lagos, has capsized “killing seven passengers this morning.”

 

The tragedy, which reportedly happened at about 10.20 a.m today, Saturday however recorded four persons rescued and  eight others are still missing.

Reports says rescue operation was carried out by the combined effort of Lagos State Water Ways Authority, Marine Police, National Inland Water Ways Authority,  Emergency Response Team of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA; Lagos State Fire Service and local divers.

  According to Channels TV, a Spokesman of the  National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA),  Southwest, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, 13 of the occupants of the boat were rescued while one reportedly died in a hospital in Ajah.
The remaining 12 are said to be receiving treatment in the hospital.
As at the time of the phone call, Mr Farinloye explains how the incident happened.
“We received a distress call at about 10:25am about a boat mishap with 17 passengers on board, immediately we mobilized the Marine Police, National Island Waterways and Lagos State Waterways Agency to search and rescue the victims.”
He explained that the cause of the accident was a pile up of sand along their route which the boat did not see and ran into it.
He added that two more people are yet to be found although there are conflicting reports from the different rescue agencies but he added that “some people are dead while 11 people have been rescued”.

Are Nigerian Christian Journalists polarising war against looters?

National Publicity Secretary of People's Democratic Party (PDP), Olisa Metuh in handcuffs before he was released on bail.

A statement credited to a group known as Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) over a Muslim group's comment on President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war calls for caution on the part of the journalsits to avoid polarising the ongoing war against looters along religious line.

NACJ has been quoted by Punch as responding to a statement recent issued by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). The Secretary General of NACJ, Charles Okhai, said, “Our attention is drawn to the statement issued by the Muslim Rights Concern on January 25, 2016 in Premium Times, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to shun calls for the release of former public officials who are currently undergoing various corruption charges and put a limitation to the rule, while prosecuting looters of public funds. This is barbaric and insulting to our national integrity."

 

New Eko wonders and asks NACJ: “what is  barbaric and insulting to our national integrity”?, as regards statement by MURIC.

It would also be interesting to know the content of a statement issued by NACJ (if any) in response to the the DasukiGate since the scandal blew up.
More: http://www.punchng.com/buhari-shouldnt-ignore-oppositions-opinions-nacj/

Obasanjo writes Saraki, Dogara over huge National Assembly allowances, emoluments

Olusegun Obasanjo

January 13, 2016

Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki,
President of the Senate,
Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Senate Chambers,
Abuja.

Honourable Yakubu Dogara,
Speaker, House of Representatives,
National Assembly Complex,
Abuja.

It is appropriate to begin this letter, which I am sending to all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives through both of you at this auspicious and critical time, with wishes of Happy New Year to you all.

 On a few occasions in the past, both in and out of office as the President of Nigeria, I have agonised on certain issues within the arms of government at the national level and among the tiers of government as well. Not least, I have reflected and expressed, outspokenly at times, my views on the practice in the National Assembly which detracts from distinguishness and honourability because it is shrouded in opaqueness and absolute lack of transparency and could not be regarded as normal, good and decent practice in a democracy that is supposed to be exemplary. I am, of course, referring to the issue of budgets and finances of the National Assembly.

   The present economic situation that the country has found itself in is the climax of the steady erosion of good financial and economic management which grew from bad to worse in the last six years or so. The executive and the legislative arms of government must accept and share responsibility in this regard. And if there will be a redress of the situation as early as possible, the two arms must also bear the responsibility proportionally. The two arms ran the affairs of the country unmindful of the rainy day. The rainy day is now here. It would not work that the two arms should stand side by side with one arm pulling and without the support of the other one for good and efficient management of the economy.
   The purpose of election into the Legislative Assembly particularly at the national level is to give service to the nation and not for the personal service and interest of members at the expense of the nation which seemed to have been the mentality, psychology, mindset and practice within the National Assembly since the beginning of this present democratic dispensation. Where is patriotism? Where is commitment? Where is service?
The beginning of good governance which is the responsibility of all arms and all the tiers of government is openness and transparency. It does not matter what else we try to do, as long as one arm of government shrouds its financial administration and management in opaqueness and practices rife with corruption, only very little, if anything at all, can be achieved in putting Nigeria on the path of sustainable and enduring democratic system, development and progress. Governance without transparency will be a mockery of democracy.
   Let us be more direct and specific so that action can be taken where it is urgently necessary. A situation where our national budget was predicated on $38 per barrel of oil with estimated 2 million barrels per day and before the budget was presented, the price of oil had gone down to $34 per barrel and now hovering around $30 and we have no assurance of producing 2 million barrels and if we can, we have no assurance of finding market for it, definitely calls for caution. If production and price projected in the budget stand, we would have to borrow almost one third of the 6 trillion naira budget. Now beginning with the reality of the budget, there is need for sober reflection and sacrifice with innovation at the level of executive and legislative arms of government. The soberness, the sacrifice and seriousness must be patient and apparent.
It must not be seen and said that those who, as leaders, call for sacrifice from the citizenry are living in obscene opulence. It will not only be insensitive but callously so. It would seem that it is becoming a culture that election into the legislative arm of government at the national level in particular is a licence for financial misconduct and that should not be. 
   The National Assembly now has a unique opportunity of presenting a new image of itself. It will help to strengthen, deepen, widen and sustain our democracy.
By our Constitution, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission is charged with the responsibility of fixing emoluments of the three arms of government: executive, legislature and judiciary. The Commission did its job but by different disingenuous ways and devices, the legislature had overturned the recommendation of the Commission and hiked up for themselves that which they are unwilling to spell out in detail, though they would want to defend it by force of arm if necessary. What is that?
Mr. President of the Senate and Hon. Speaker of the House, you know that your emolument which the Commission had recommended for you takes care of all your legitimate requirements: basic salary, car, housing, staff, constituency allowance. Although the constituency allowance is paid to all members of the National Assembly, many of them have no constituency offices which the allowance is partly meant to cater for. And yet other allowances and payments have been added by the National Assembly for the National Assembly members’ emoluments. Surely, strictly speaking, it is unconstitutional. There is no valid argument for this except to see it for what it is – law-breaking and impunity by lawmakers. The lawmakers can return to the path of honour, distinguishness, sensitivity and responsibility. The National Assembly should have the courage to publish its recurrent budgets for the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. That is what transparency demands. With the number of legislators not changing, comparison can be made. Comparisons in emoluments can also be made with countries like Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and even Malaysia and Indonesia who are richer and more developed than we are.
  The budget is a proposal and only an estimate of income and expenditure. Where income is inadequate, expenditure will not be made. While in government, I was threatened with impeachment by the members of the National Assembly for not releasing some money they had appropriated for themselves which were odious and for which there were no incomes to support. The recent issue of cars for legislators would fall into the same category. Whatever name it is disguised as, it is unnecessary and insensitive. A pool of a few cars for each Chamber will suffice for any Committee Chairman or members for any specific duty. The waste that has gone into cars, furniture, housing renovation in the past was mind-boggling and these were veritable sources of waste and corruption. That was why they were abolished. Bringing them back is inimical to the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
  The way of proposing budget should be for the executive to discuss every detail of the budget, in preparation, with different Committees and sub-Committees of the National Assembly and the National Assembly to discuss its budget with the Ministry of Finance. Then, the budget should be brought together as consolidated budget and formally presented to the National Assembly, to be deliberated and debated upon and passed into law. It would then be implemented as revenues are available. Where budget proposals are extremely ambitious like the current budget and revenue sources are so uncertain, more borrowing may have to be embarked upon, almost up to 50% of the budget or the budget may be grossly unimplementable and unimplemented. Neither is a choice as both are bad.     
   Management of the economy is one of the key responsibilities of the President as prescribed in the Constitution. He cannot do so if he does not have his hands on the budget. Management of the economy is shared responsibility where the Presidency has the lion share of the responsibility. But if the National Assembly becomes a cog in the wheel, the executive efforts will not yield much reward or progress. The two have to work synchronisingly together to provide the impetus and the conducive environment for the private sector to play its active vanguard role. Management of the budget is the first step to manage the economy. It will be interesting if the National Assembly will be honourable enough and begin the process of transparency, responsibility and realism by publishing its recurrent budgets for 2016 as it should normally be done.
   Hopefully, the National Assembly will take a step back and do what is right not only in making its own budget transparent but in all matters of financial administration and management including audit of its accounts by external outside auditor from 1999 to date. This, if it is done, will bring a new dawn to democracy in Nigeria and a new and better image for the National Assembly and it will surely avoid the Presidency and the National Assembly going into face-off all the time on budgets and financial matters.

While I thank you for your patience and understanding, please accept, Dear Senate President and Honourable Speaker of the House, the assurances of my highest consideration.
OLUSEGUN OBASANJO